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Announcing: Subtraction Triangles
Sunday, January 6, 2008
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The last time a new game made its appearance on The Problem Site, my niece scolded me a bit, saying: "Uncle Doug, how come you didn't put up an announcement about the new game?"
So, Annie, this is for you.
ANNOUNCING: SUBTRACTION TRIANGLES
Many students are returning to school tomorrow (around here most students started back to school on Thursday, but I know not everyone runs on the same schedule as we do up here in the cold northern reaches of the US), so just in time to kick off a new week and a new year, and get the brain in gear, I'd like to direct your attention to the new game on The Problem Site: Subtraction Triangles.
Subtraction Triangles are like upside down and backwards Pascal's Triangles. I won't explain any more here, since it's explained on the game page. I will just say this: Even though the puzzles are divided into "Easy" and "Difficult", don't think that the "Easy" puzzles are going to be so easy that you can do them with your eyes closed. They're not that easy!
I hope you enjoy the new game!Labels: math, theproblemsite
posted by Douglas Twitchell at
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Monty Hall's Game - A Probability Question
Thursday, November 29, 2007
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This post is particularly for math teachers and those who enjoy mathematics. The Treasure Hunt makes use of a mathematical riddle called the "Three Door Puzzle" or the "Monty Hall Game" - this is a puzzle that inspires some controversy among people who like to ponder the weighty matters of the universe (like: how can I win a million dollars in a game show?)
The Puzzle/riddle/game is explained here: The Monty Hall Game. Visit that page not just to learn about the game, but also to play it online, and find out the truth about it!
There is also an explanation of the puzzle here: Choosing The Right Door. Yesterday someone visited that page and posted an argument that the correct solution is, in fact, not correct. Since he signed his name "Monty Hall", I wasn't sure whether he was trying to be funny or serious. But I decided it would be a good idea to have this simulation online for anyone who wants to try it out.
Also, for math teachers, it might be a good discussion starter to have your students read both the article linked above and the dissenting opinion on that page. Then, when they've read and discussed and argued, let them play the simulation.
 Labels: math, monty hall, probability, theproblemsite
posted by Douglas Twitchell at
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High School Math Problems
Saturday, November 10, 2007
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I know some of you have been chomping at the bit for Graeme's new High School Math Problem for the month of November. You'll be happy to know Graeme is back, and has a brand new math challenge for you! Be sure to stop by and check it out!Labels: math, theproblemsite
posted by Douglas Twitchell at
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Site Updates, New Problems!
Saturday, September 1, 2007
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I'm very happy to announce that Graeme McRae is back for another year of High School Math Problems! Graeme comes up with some very creative and challenging problems, so be sure to check that out. He plans to post a new problem each month. If you solve his problems, you can login and submit a solution for him to grade.
Along the same lines, you will find a brand new brainteaser as well. The BrainFood page will be updated every Sunday throughout the fall and winter (with short breaks for Thanksgiving and Christmas).
So there you have it - a reason to come back every month, and a reason to come back every week!
Also, some changes have been made to the site, which you can read about here: The Problem Site free membership.
Please note that, as always, new features can result in bugs, so if you encounter any problems, I'd like to hear about them!Labels: brainfood, math, theproblemsite
posted by Douglas Twitchell at
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Changes And Updates
Friday, August 31, 2007
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Today is the last day of August, 2007, and tomorrow morning some changes will be implemented on The Problem Site. There may be a period of an hour or two tomorrow morning (probably around 8:00 AM, EST) when the site's behavior may be erratic, and certain features may not function properly. Once these updates are completed, the following features will be available:
1. The login system for the Problems section of the site will be modified. Members will login using their screen name and password, rather than their email address and password. The reason for this change is simple: members are no longer required to provide an email address in order to create a membership account - this will make it easier for children/students to access various parts of the site.
2. Speaking of the "Problems" section of the site, Graeme will have a new High School Math Problem posted tomorrow, and I will have a new BrainFood Puzzle posted.
3. Two games on the site which have high score lists (Adders! and Trio Match) will be modified so that the high score lists will show scores by members only.
4. Also, when you are logged into the site, the site will track how many of the 2800 Entrapment Puzzles you have completed, and will always show you puzzles you have not yet solved, in roughly ascending level of difficulty.
Once these changes are in effect, if you have ANY problems with the site, please fire off an email to me (dtwitchell@virtu-software.com) or post a comment here!
Thanks,
Douglas Twitchell
TPS AdministratorLabels: brainfood, math, membership, theproblemsite
posted by Douglas Twitchell at
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Contest Problem Book V
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
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This post is for the math "geeks" among us. From time to time I am hired to write or proofread competition math problems for various math competition leagues (I'm currently in the midst of writing 9 competitions, 11 problems each), so I need to keep some math problem books around, partly to keep my math brain active (as opposed to my "other" brain, which I use here: Site that requires my "other brain") and partly for inspiration.
Recently I picked up some books of math problems, and found one of them to be quite valuable:
The Contest Problem Book V
The Contest Problem Book V contains problems from the AHSME (American High School Mathematics Examination) and the AIME (American Invitational Mathematics Examination) from the years 1983 to 1988. I was in high school during those years, so as I look at both the AHSME and AIME problems, I find myself thinking: I remember doing those competitions!
These are great problems with a lot of variation in difficulty level (try some of the beginning problems in the AHSME competitions, and then compare them to the problems in the AIME competitions!). One thing that the Amazon reviews and information never mentioned was a really interesting section in the middle of the book titled Dropped Problems. These are problems which were written for the AHSME, but were never used, either because they were flawed, or because the solution was "guessable", or for other reasons. There is also a solution section for these problems, with comments about why they weren't used.
That feature alone makes this problem book a unique and fascinating read.
Purchase The Contest Problem Book V at The Puzzler Store
Or you can purchase from Amazon.com:
Labels: math, math contest
posted by Douglas Twitchell at
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